What Is the Difference Between a Royal Order and a Supreme Order?

A Royal Order is issued solely at the king of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's discretion, concerning a matter that has not been previously presented to the Council of Ministers or the Shura Council. It bears the signature of the king in his capacity as head of state. In contrast, a Supreme Order is issued by the Prime Minister and may also be issued by the Deputy Prime Ministers according to their legal jurisdictions.

Royal Orders, Supreme Orders, and Royal Decrees are published through Umm al-Qura, the official gazette of the Kingdom. Its name refers to its location in Makkah al-Mukarramah City. The newspaper was established during the reign of Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, and its first issue was published on December 12, 1924.